+ Jesus is telling the people of his own day that being associated with him means safety; and simply,
not being with him, means destruction! There is no “just standing around” idly
watching the history of salvation being played out. Since the events of
redemption affect all people, all people
must constantly decide where they stand. In each event and circumstance of
their lives they must remember that the one providing the safety, security, and
the salvific life of grace can be
none other than the Person of Jesus himself!
The
power of Jesus to do what he does comes from his identity
with the Holy Trinity of God. It is by the
power and finger of God that Jesus does what he does! It certainly cannot
be from evil sources – because Jesus does
nothing on his own – as evil forces do –
he does only what he sees the Father doing, and what he tells him to do on
our behalf, for our salvation!
The
first reading today shows us a people who are motivated by the
forces of evil – they see things their own way – and want things their own way
– and so they harden their hearts and
stiffen their necks against God who has done so much for them in the past –
but who is still planning an amazing redemption for them in the future: if they would only turn to him!
The verse before the gospel
says it all: to them, and even to us today, with our dealings with forces both
good and evil in our lives: even now,
says the Lord, “re-turn” to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and
merciful – and you find rest, you will find compassion, mercy, forgiveness
and peace.
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